Gibson County in the civil war; an address by Col. Gil. R. Stormont, at the dedication of the Gibson County soldiers monument at Princeton, Indiana, on Nov. 12, 1913 [i.e. 1912] History of other monuments in Gibson County

<2lib0on County in tjjt
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i^onument at Ptlnceton
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History of Other Monuments in
Gibson County

GIBSON COUNTY SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.

Dedicated November 12, 1912.

(Gibson County in tlx
Cit)il «ar

9n aniirfBfl fap

CoL 6iL B, S)tormont

<at tftf SDfdication ot tl)f
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il^onument at Princeton ^^^^
Jntiiana on jRob. 12. 1913^-"^

I I

History of Other Monuments in
Gibson County

WM. MOWKY PRINTINC COMPANY
PRINCETON. IND.

^*

Explanatory.

The record of Gibson County in the Civil war was
the subject of an address which I had the honor to de-
Hver at the dedication of the Gibson county soldiers'
monument in Princeton. November 12, 1912. This
was published in the local papers at the time and met
with such general interest and approval, because of the
historical matter presented, that the suggestion came
from various persons that the address should be pub-
lished in a convenient form for preservation. In com-
pliance with these suggestions, and as an acknowledge-
ment of the compliments of friends as to the merits of
the address, this publication is made. And this is of-
fered for whatever apology or explanation may seem
necessary for this booklet.

As an additional matter of interest the history of
the 58th Indiana regimental monument is included in
these pages. This monument stands in the court house
square, in Princeton, and is conceded to be one of the
most unique relics of the civil war. The history of the
monument erected at Oakland City, by the surviving
members of Company F, 42d Indiana, also finds appro-
priate place in these pages.

With the belief that this record of the loyal and
patriotic spirit manifested by the paople of Gibson
county in the war of the rebellion is one that should
be regarded with pardonable pride by every citizen,
this little booklet is respectfully submitted.

GIL. R. STORMONT.

Gibson County in the War.

On that April morning in 1861, when the Confed-
erate batteries in Charleston harbor opened fire upon
the flag of Fort Sumter, and when a few hours later
that flag was lowered, and its gallant defenders
marched out in surrender, there was marked an epoch
in American history. When the news of this indignity
and treasonable outrage upon our flag was flashed over
the country the loyal people were thrilled as with an
electric shock. Everywhere there was manifested the
greatest indignation at the insult to the nation's flag.
Everywhere there was manifested an eagerness to re-
sent this insult by an appeal to arms.

In no part of the country was there a more deter-
mined manifestation of this loyal, patriotic spirit than
was shown among the people of Gibeon county. The
people of this county were largely descendants of a long
line of hunters, frontiersmen, soldiers, Indian fighters,
and were by nature and early training imbued with a
spirit of patriotism and love of home and country. By
instinct and training Ihey were ready to resent every
affront, and especially every insult to the national flag
and the national union.

On the morning of the 15th of April, 1861, im-
mediately after the news of the firing upon Fort

Sumter had been received, Governor Morton wired
President Lincoln, making a tender of ten thousand
men for the defense of the nation. On the same day
President Lincoln issued his proclamation calling for
75,000 volunteers from the several states in the union,
for the suppression of the rebellion. Under this call
Indiana's quota was six regiments of infantry, or about
six thousand men, to serve three months.

Within five days after this call was promulgated
more than 12,000 men had been enrolled in Indiana,
and were pressing Governor Morton for acceptance and
muster into the United States service.

Among these early enlistments was a company
from Gibson county. The day following President Lin-
coln's proclamation a recruiting office was opened in
Princeton and the fife and drum was heard for the first
time calling for volunteers to defend the flag. The
first man to put his name on the roll of volunteers in
Gibson county was Dr. Samuel E. Munford, then a
promising young physician of Princeton. He became
regimental surgeon and later medical director of Wild-
er's Brigade.

The roll of this first company was soon made
up, and the company was ready for orders to go to In-
dianapolis for muster into the service. But the quota
for the state, under the President's call, had been filled
by this time and the Gibson county company, like
many others, had to stand aside. The company was
disbanded, but only for a short time.

Within a month an additional call for volunteers,
to serve three years or during the war, was made by
President Lincoln. Under this call Indiana's quota
was four regiments of infantry and one regiment of
cavalry, and this gave the Gibson county company the
opportunity to enter the service. The muster roll was
opened and enlistments for three years or during the
war called for. George W. Gorman and Jacob G. Vail

10

were the most active in recruiting this company, and,
early in May, 18()1, the orjianization was completed
and the company departed for Indianapolis to report
for duty. It was nuistered into the United States ser-
vice and assij^ned to the 17th Indiana, as Company H,
of that regiment. Vail was commissioned as captain
of the company and Gorman was commissioned major
of the regiment. At the close of the war Vail held the
commission of colonel and brevet brigadier-general, the
highest rank attained by any one from Gibson county
during the civil war. Ihe greater part of the service
in the field of the 17th Indiana was as mounted in-
fantry, a part of Wilder's brigade.

Under this call other enlistments from Gibson
county were made in the 14th Indiana, organized at
Terre Haute, by Col. Nathan Kimball, afterwards major
general. Another full company from this county be-
came a part of the 24th Indiana, organized at Vincennes,
by Col. (afterward major-general) Alvin P. Hovey.
There were also a number from this county enlisted in
in the 25th Indiana, being organized at Evansville by
Col. (afterward brigadier-general) Veach.

As the war progressed another call for 300,000 vol-
unteers was made by President Lincoln. This was
after the battle of Bull Run, when the people of the
North became conscious of the fact that the suppres-
sion of the rebellion was an undertaking of serious
magnitude. It was realized then that this was to be
a real war, and not a 'breakfast spell,' as some at first
foolishly asserted.

Under this call there was abundant opportunity
for the boys of Gibson county, who were so inclined, to
enter the service. A company was enrolled in Prince-
ton in the month of August, 1861, by James M, Hen-
derson, who had been engaged in teaching in what was
then the Morton Academy (now belonging to the Seth
Ward estate), Burr H. Polk and Joseph T. Fleming.

11

This company become part of the 33d Indiana, organ-
ized at Indianapolis by Col. John Coburn.

In the month of September two more companies
were enlisted in Gibson county, one in Princeton by
Nathaniel B. French and D. F. Embree, and the other
in the eastern part of the county by Samuel G. Barrett
and William M. Cockrum. These companies became
part of the 42d Indiana, organized at Evansville, by
Col. James G. Jones.

In October, 1861, Dr. Andrew Lewis was commis-
sioned by Governor Morton to organize a regiment from
the counties then composing the First congressional
district, the organization camp to be at Princeton.

This camp was established in the county fair
grounds in October, 1861, and was known as Camp
Gibson. The regiment was designated as the 58th In-
diana, and, after the preliminary work of organization
by Dr. Lewis, H. M. Carr was regularly commissioned
as colonel; George P. Buell, lieutenant-colonel; James T.
Embree, major; Samuel Sterne, quartermaster; Dr. W.
W. Blair, surgeon; Rev. John J. Hight, chaplain. In
addition to the field and staff officers, four full com-
panies, with several enlistments in other companies in
this regiment, in all about 400, were from Gibson
county. After a few months service in the field Col.
Carr resigned and Geo. P. Buell was commissioned col-
onel, and James T. Embree lieutenant-colonel. For
the greater part of the service Buell commanded a
a brigade, Embree commanded the regiment and Dr.
W. W. Blair served as medical director of Gen. T. J.
Wood's division.

Under the call of July, 1862, the 65th Indiana was
organized in Princeton, and was mustered into the ser-
vice on the 20th of August, with John W. Foster as
colonel. In this regiment was one company, with W.
T. Stilwell as captain, and parts of other companies
from Gibson county.

12

In the month of September, 1862, the 80th Indiana
regiment was organized in Camp Gibson. In this regi-
ment was one company largely composed of men from
Princeton and immediate vicinity. Another company
was recruited from the southwestern part of the county,
and there were Gibson county representatives in several
other companies of this regiment. Lewis Brooks was
lieut-colonel of this regiment at the organization; George
T. Simonson, major; Dr. W. P. Welborn, surgeon; Charles
Brownlee, Captain Co. A. (the Princeton company).
Some of the very best citizens and business men of
Princeton enlisted in this regiment. In just one month
after the regiment left Camp Gibson it was engaged in
the battle of Perryville, and suffered severely in killed
and wounded. After the battle of Perryville Charles
Denby was transferred from the 42d Indiana and com-
missioned colonel of this regiment.

In September, 1863, the 120th regiment was or-
ganized with one company from Gibson county. This
regiment, with the 123d, 124th; 128th, 129th and 130th
Indiana regiments composed an Indiana division under
command of General Alvin P. Hovey. These regiments
were largely composed of young men and boys, and
the division carried the name of 'Hovey's Babies.' The
division was immediately placed on the firing line in
the Atlanta campaign and the 'babies' acquitted them-
selves as veterans in the many severe engagements in
which they participated.

In May, 1864, the 136th Indiana, a hundred days'
regiment, was organized. In this there was one com-
pany from Gibson county, of which William Kurtz was
captain.

The last regiment organized in which there was
one or more companies from Gibson county was the
143d Indiana. This regiment was largely composed of
veterans who had seen service in other commands. It
was organized in February, 1865. It was fully equipped

13

for service, but the war was practically over and they
did not get within sound of hostile guns.

In addition to the regiments mentioned, Gibson
county soldiers found service in other regiments of this
state, and in other states. Among the other Indiana
infantry regiments in which Gibson county soldiers were
enlisted were the 15th, 51st, 60th, 63d and 91st, and
the 1st, 4th and 10th cavalry, and the 8th Indiana bat-
tery and 21st heavy artillery.

From first to last there were more than 2,000 vol-
unteer enlistments from Gibson county. There were
no drafted men, though there was, in 1863, an enroll-
ment of those subject to military duty, preparatory for
a draft, if this course should be necessary to fill the
county's quota in subsequent calls. As an inducement
for volunteers to meet these calls the county offered
liberal bounties for enlistments in 1864 and '65. For
this purpose the county paid the total amount of
$104,014.15 to those who enlisted in some of the later
companies. The county also paid for the relief of sol-
diers' wives and widows during the war the sum of
$20,227.01.

It is difficult for the present generation to realize
that the officers and men who composed the army in
the greatest war of modern times were boys and
young men; that the average age of the rank and file of
those who enlisted from Gibson county was less than
twenty years. It is a mistaken impression that the
army that fought to a successful conclusion the war of
the rebellion was composed of old and decrepit men,
who, weary with life's burden, flung the smoking wick
of an expiring life into the trembling balance of their
country's scales, and sought rest of death and oblivion
in the fire and smoke of battle.

Let the fact be indelibly impressed on the minds of
the present generation that it was from the flower and

14

youth of the land that the more than two thousand
soldiers of Gibson county came. Behind them were
doors of opportunity. Behind them were homes and
friends, and home comforts, where 'Plenty had her
court, and Joy and Peace saluted every morn.' It was
from all this they turned away. They gave up their
hopes, their ambition, their world, their life and all for
the sake of others. They suffered privation and en-
durance that others might have ease and comfort.
They exiled themselves from home that others might
have a home. They gave up life that this generation
and the generations to come might have life and enjoy
life more abundantly.

Gibson county soldiers faced death and mingled in
the strife and carnage of nearly all the great battles of
the civil war. They contributed their part in the first
great victory of the Western army at Fort Donelson.
Some have lived to tell of their experience in the
bloody conflict at Shiloh, at Perryville and at Stone's
River. Gibson county soldiers fought with Hovey at
Champion Hills, and with Grant in the siege and cap-
ture of Vicksburg. Gibson county soldiers were with
Burnside when he stormed the rugged hills of Freder-
icksburg, and they fought among the burning pines of
Chancellorville. Gibson county soldiers stood with the
men who resisted the desperate valor of the veterans
under Lee and Longstreet, at Gettysburg.

Gibson county soldiers stood with General George
H. Thomas on Snodgrass hill, at Chickamauga, on that
September Sabbath afternoon, and contributed of their
might and valor and made it possible for that grim old
chieftain to declare, to the impetuous and almost vic-
torious hosts under Hill and Longstreet, "Thus far shalt
thou come and no farther. "

Gibson county soldiers were among those who
scaled the heights of Lookout Mountain and fought
with Hooker in his famous battle above the clouds;

15

they were among those who, with unparalleled courage,
charged the rifle-pits, blazing with cannon and musketry,
and climbed to the heights of Mission Ridge. And it
was a Gibson county soldier who carried the flag of
the 58th Indiana in that charge. He carried the flag
unfurled and in full splendor floating to the breeze, and
planted at Bragg's late headquarters, on the summit,
the 'banner of beauty and glory.'

There were Gibson county soldiers in these and
scores of other great battles of the war. They were
with Sherman in his march to the sea. They followed
Sherman through swamps and across the rivers of
Georgia, and through the Carolinas, until they joined
hands with other comrades from Gibson county, who
had followed Grant through the Wilderness, to Rich-
mond and Petersburg, on to the final victory and sur-
render of Lee's army at Appomatax. They participated
in that greatest military pageant the world has ever
seen, when the veteran regiments under Sherman and
Grant, with bullet-ridden and battle-scarred banners,
marched down Pennsylvania avenue, in Washington,
amid the plaudits and cheers of thousands of admiring
spectators.

Not all those who went to the army from Gibson
county were privileged to join in that triumphal march;
not all were permitted to see the full fruition of their
dearest hopes — a country saved, a nation redeemed.
Several hundred of these boys fell by the wayside.
Some died of disease in camp or prison pen. Some in
fire and smoke of battle, fell with their country's full
armor on. Many others in the days of peace, have
'passed the lonely way,' and have joined their comrades
on the other side. As a slight tribute to their memory
we dedicate this monument today.

May this monument stand as a memorial to Gibson
county's honored dead, 'until the trumpet of the morn-

16

ing breaks the challenge of the night.' When, on that
great day for which all other days are made, there
shall sound for them, and for those who shall soon fol-
follow them, the Grand Revellie, where, —

"Through the gloaming of the twiHght,

'Tween the valley and each star.
They shall see the fisher's rush-light,

Set to guide them o'er the bar.
There to lift a bright new banner.

Where the light of peace is shed.
In the green fields of the living;

Not the bivouac of the dead!"

Fifty-Eighth Regiment Monument.

Strangers who visit Princeton are attracted by the
modest marble shaft that stands in the southwest cor-
ner of the court house square, and there is a very
natural desire to know what it is and what it represents.
Frequent inquiries are made of citizens and business
men for information as to its history, and there are fre-
quent visits to the monument by the seeker after
knowledge of its origin and meaning. But with all
this inquiry and investigation, incorrect information
and erroneous ideas are often obtained by these seekers
after knowledge, for the reason that there are compar-
atively few of the citizens and business men of the
town who are sufficiently informed to give correct an-
swer to the inquiring stranger. And there is nothing
on or about the monument itself to explain its origin
and history. What little history that has been written
about it is vague and misleading. Some of the his-
torians of Gibson county have referred to this monu-
ment as evidence of the patriotic regard entertained by
the people of the county for the soldiers who laid down
their lives in defense of their country, whereas, the
people of the county had nothing whatever to do witii
the erection of this monument. Neither had the people
of Princeton, except to furnish a committee to superin-
tend its construction and secure a place for its erection.

18

FIFTY-EIGHTH INDIANA REGIMENT MONUMENT.

Dedicated July 4. 1865.

The money for the erection of this monument came
from the survivors of the 58th Indiana regiment, in
honor of whose dead it was erected, and all this money
was raised by voluntary donations and subscriptions
from members of the regiment while in the service. A
considerable part of this fund was obtained by appro-
priating certain money due the members of the regi-
ment on account of an allowance for unused rations,
supplemented by liberal subscriptions by officers and
men of the regiment. The contract for the con-
struction of the monument was made in 1863, and it
was completed, erected and dedicated before the regi-
ment was discharged from the service. In the manner
of its conception, as well as in the manner and condi-
tions under which it was erected and dedicated, it is in
a class by itself. It was the first regimental monu-
ment erected in the state in memory of soldiers of the
civil war, and it is the only one in this state, or in the
United States, that was erected and dedicated by a reg-
iment in honor of its deceased soldiers while that
regiment was still in the service. Hisiory has been
challenged to show its counterpart in the world and
this challenge has not been answered.

In view of these facts, that the truth of history
might be preserved, and the present generation and
generations to come might have wherewith to make
answer to the inquiry, "What mean these stones?" we
submit the following historical sketch, written by the
late Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Moore, of the 58tli In-
diana, who was secretary of the regimental monument
association:

"In the early months of 1863, the 58th Indiana reg-
iment was encamped near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, as
a part of the Army of the Cumberland, under General
Rosecrans. During part of this time Lieutenant-Colonel
Embree and myself occupied the same tent as quarters,
and by us and Quartermaster Samuel Sterne, was con-
ceived the idea of erecting a monument by the surviv-

20

ors of the regiment, to perpetuate the memory of our
deceased comrades. The plan was uiatured and it was
made known and explained to our comrades of the
regiment and was heartily approved by them. A plan
of orj^anization was drawn up and adopted. Lieut-Col,
Embree was elected president, and myself, then major,
elected secretary and treasurer. Liberal subscriptions
to meet the expense of the proposed monument were
made by officers and men of the regiment at the time
of the organization. It was stipulated that the cost of
the monument should not exceed $5,000, and that no
subscription should be solicited nor received from any
source outside of the regiment, as it was intended to
be a monument of the regiment and erected by the
regiment.

"It was determined by the voice of the regiment
that the monument should be erected in the court
house square, in Princeton, where the regiment was or-
ganized. A local committee was appointed, consisting
of Dr. Andrew Lewis, Joseph Devin, William Kurtz and
John Kell, to carry out the wishes of the regiment.
This committee advertised for designs with probable
cost of erection, and these designs were forwarded to
the regimental organization, then in the field, near
Hillsboro, Tennessee. The design of C. Rule and Cole-
man, of Cincinnati, Ohio, was adopted as the choice of
the regiment, and the local committee was instructed
to close a contract with this firm. It was stipulated in
the contract that the monument should be completed
by the time the regiment returned from the field at the
expiration of its term of three years' service. This
time, was, however, extended for nearly a year on ac-
count of the re-enlistment of the regiment as veterans.

"The design of monument adopted and as erected
was an elegant marble shaft about thirty-thres feet in
height. On the north side are crossed swords and
wreath. On the east side a small shield resting upon
oak and myrtle. Underneath is a large wreath encir-
cling the words, "Erected by the Survivors of the Fifty-
eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteers; to the Memory of
their Deceased Comrades." On the south side is a
knapsack supporting crossed muskets and flags, and a
soldiers cap. On the west side is the coat of arms of
the state of Indiana. On the front in large raised let-

21

ters are the words, "Honor the Flag." On the several
sides of the caps of the dies are the following names of
battles in which the regiment engaged, "Stone River,"
"Lavergne," Chickamauga," "Mission Ridge." The
American eagle, made of the finest Italian marble, sur-
mounts the shaft, holding in his beak and talons the
National ensign."

The names of all deceased members of the regiment
were inscribed on the shaft at the time of its construc-
tion. Names of those who died in the service after its
completion were added later. It was not intended that
the names of those who died after the regiment was
discharged should be inscribed on the monument.

The monument was formally dedicated on Tuesday,
July 4th, 1865. As has been stated the regiment was
still in the service at this time, but they were at Louis-
ville waiting for their discharge. Many of the officers
and men received furloughs and were present at the
dedication. Addresses were made by Dr. Andrew
Lewis, Rev. John McMaster, D. D., Chaplain John J.
Hight, of the 58th, and others. The dedication of this
monument was a great day in Princeton. Thousands
of people were present, including many of the Gibson
county soldiers who had returned from the war, all re-
joicing in victory and peace.

But amid this rejoicing there were many in Forrow
and tears because of the absence of loved ones whose
names were inscribed on the monument to be dedi-
cated. Those names are still there, but most of those
who mingled tears with rejoicing at the dedication of
this monument bearing the names of loved ones, have
passed away. The monument itself is yielding to the
ravages of time and is crumbling away, but it is none
the less entitled to the highest honor, reverence and re-
spect from the citizens of Princeton, young and old,
and from the stranger as well, who comes within our
gates. For nearly half a century this monument has
stood in this most ] ublic place, a silent testimony of

22

the cost of the priceless heritajje that Is enjoyed by this
feneration. It stands as a memento of the patriotism,
love, sacrifice and comradeship of soldiers, who, from
their small pittance in the army created the fund for
its erection. Time has dimmed its artistic beauty. As
an object of the sculptor's art it has lost much of its
former attractiveness. As compared with other mon-
uments of modern construction it may appear obscure
and insignificient. But in its meaning, in sacrifice,
sentiment and comradship, it looms far above and be-
yond them all.

Co. F, 42nd Indiana Monument.

On a little tri-angular piece of ground near the track
of the Southern railroad, in Oakland City, there stands
a modest appearing shaft that attracts the attention of

people passing by
on the train. If
these passing peo-
ple are interested
enough and inquis-
itive enough to ask
some one what this
modest shaft rep-
resents, or "What
meaneth these
stones?" and if the
person to whom the
inquiry is directed
is able to answer
the question, the
information will be
given that this is
a monument erect-
ed by the surviv-
ing members of Company F, 42d Indiana, as a loving
tribute to the memory of their comrades who gave up
their lives in defense of the flag during the civil war.

24

DEDICATED SEPTEMBER 18!):)

This monument was erected durinj» the summer of
1893, and was dedicated in September of that year.
The initial steps were taiten at a reunion of the Com-
pany a year prior to that time, when a committee was
appointed to raise the necessary funds. This commit-
tee was composed of Col. W. M. Cockrum, John W.
Corder, James T. Bell, John P. Simpson and Washing-
ton Strickland. Dr. George C. Mason acted as an ad-
visory member and gave much financial and advisory
aid whicli was greatly appreciated by the company.
Col. W. M. Cockrum executed a deed to Gibson county
for the lot on which the monument stands.

The contract for the monument was awarded to
Wm. Kelley, of Oakland City at a cost of near one
thousand dollars. The material used was oolitic lime-
stone. The monument stands on a base seven feet
square and is twenty-eight feet in height. On the top
is the figure of a soldier carved in stone. On the sev-
eral sides of the dies are the names of all the original
members of the company and the recruits, 143 in num-
ber.

On a panel for that purpose are the names of the
original field and staff officers of the regiment. On
another side of the shaft there is a scroll in which is
inscribed, "Starved to death at Andersonville," and un-
derneath are the names of eleven members of the
company who gave this supreme test of their devotion
to their country. Following are the names:

Chesterfield P. Dill, Alford Farmer, J. M. Hunter,
H. H. Hunter, John H. Martin, Adam Canon, Wm. A.
Reavis, W. W. Oliver, A. H. Mariner, Jacob Strickland
and A. C. Coleman. These all were taken prisoners at
the battle of Chickamauga and died at Andersonville.

In appropriate places on the shaft appear the names
of battles in which the company participated. These
are as follows:

Perryville, Stone's River, Stevenson, Flint River,
25

Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge,
Ringold, Buzzard Roost, Big Shanty, Snake Creek Gap,
Chattahoochie River, Bentonville.

As stated, this monument was dedicated in Sep-
tember, 1893. At the dedication there was a large
assemblage of the surviving members of the company
and regiment, soldiers from other regiments, citizens
and friends. These all gathered around the monument
where an appropriate address was delivered by Captain
A. J. McCutchan, of Co. A, 42d Indiana. It was a
proud day for the veterans of this company when they
could look upon the completion of this monument as
the crowning triumph of months of labor and sacrifice.
They could rejoice in the triumph of the cause for
which they fought, even though this rejoicing was min-
gled with tears in memory of those whose names were
inscribed on the monument who had given up their
lives for that cause.

"For their cause was the cause of the races.

That languished in slavery's night,
And the death that was pale on their faces.

Has filled the whole world with its light."

JAN !.^I9I7

LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS

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